American Express Gold Card

Name: American Express Gold Card
Brand: American Express
Price: 1000 INR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3 (1 reviews)

Overview

The American Express Gold Card is one of the more affordable entry points into the Amex ecosystem in India. It operates as a charge card, meaning you must pay the full balance each month with no option to revolve credit. In return, you get a flexible spending structure with no pre-set spending limit, which adjusts based on your spending pattern, financial situation, and credit history. The first year fee of ₹1,000 makes it accessible, though the renewal fee jumps to ₹4,500 plus applicable taxes from the second year.The rewards program centers on Membership Rewards points. You earn 1 point for every ₹50 spent across most categories, including utility payments like electricity, water, and gas, capped at 10,000 points per month for utilities. A monthly bonus of 1,000 points kicks in when you complete 6 transactions of ₹1,000 or more each calendar month. Through the Reward Multiplier program, you can earn 5X points at partner brands like Flipkart and Apple.Points find their best value through the Gold Collection. At the 24K tier, 24,000 points convert to a Taj voucher worth ₹14,000, a Shoppers Stop voucher worth ₹10,000, or an Amazon voucher worth ₹8,000. The 18K tier offers lower entry with 18,000 points for options like Taj (₹9,000), Myntra (₹7,000), or Amazon (₹6,000). Additional benefits include up to 25% off at select restaurants, ₹30 lakh air accident insurance through ICICI Lombard, and discounts at The Lalit Hotels and Kaya Skin Clinics.Eligibility requires a minimum annual income of ₹6 lakh and residence in one of 26 cities across India. American Express cards have more limited merchant acceptance compared to Visa and Mastercard networks, which is worth considering before applying. The card does not earn points on fuel purchases from June 2025, and insurance and cash transactions are also excluded from rewards.

Pros

↑Low first year fee of ₹1,000 with a solid rewards program that includes monthly bonus points and 5X earning through Reward Multiplier partners
↑Gold Collection gives strong redemption value, with 24,000 points converting to ₹14,000 in Taj vouchers or ₹10,000 at Shoppers Stop
↑₹30 lakh air accident insurance included free, plus up to 25% dining discounts at select restaurants across India

Cons

↓Renewal fee jumps to ₹4,500 from the second year with no published fee waiver condition based on spending
↓American Express network has limited merchant acceptance in India compared to Visa and Mastercard
↓No airport lounge access and no points earned on fuel purchases from June 2025

Key Highlights

Welcome Offer
4,000 Bonus MR Points on ₹10K spend in 90 days
Spend ₹10,000 within 90 days of cardmembership
Earn 4,000 Bonus Membership Rewards points
Available only in the first year
Subject to payment of the annual fee

Reward Rate
1 MR per ₹50 + 1,000 monthly bonus
1 MR point per ₹50 on most spends
1,000 bonus points on 6 transactions of ₹1,000+ monthly
Utility payments earn MR (capped 10,000/month)
No MR on fuel, insurance, or cash transactions

Minimum Salary
₹6 lakh minimum annual income
Age: 18+ years for primary cardholder
Good credit history with no defaults
Resident Indian with Indian bank account
Available in 26 cities across India

Joining Fee
₹1,000 + taxes (first year fee)
First year fee: ₹1,000 plus applicable taxes
Second year onwards: ₹4,500 plus applicable taxes
No published spending-based fee waiver
Supplementary card available at additional cost

Annual Fee
₹4,500 + taxes (renewal, no standard waiver)
Annual renewal from second year onwards
No spending threshold for fee waiver published
GST charged on all fees as applicable
Full balance due each month (charge card)

Why Choose?
Up to 25% off at select restaurants
Dining discounts at partner restaurants
Lalit Hotels: 20% off room stay
Apple: up to ₹10,000 cashback
Kaya Skin Clinic: 30% off services

Key Benefits

Bill Payment

★3.5

▼

1 MR point per ₹50 on utility payments (electricity, water, gas)
Capped at 10,000 MR points per calendar month for utilities
Most cards exclude utility from rewards, this one includes it
Telecom payments also earn at standard rate

Dining

★3.5

▼

Up to 25% off at select partner restaurants across India
Discounts vary by restaurant and city
Benefits page lists latest dining partners
MR points earned on dining transactions at standard rate

Fuel

★2.0

▼

HPCL: 0% convenience fee on transactions under ₹5,000
HPCL: 1% fee on transactions ₹5,000 and above
BPCL and IOCL: 1% of transaction (min ₹10 + taxes)
Other OMCs: 2.5% of transaction (min ₹10 + taxes)
No MR points earned on fuel from June 2025

Lifestyle

★3.0

▼

Apple cashback up to ₹10,000 at Apple Store Online and physical stores
Kaya Skin Clinic: free dermatologist consultation and 30% off services
The Lalit Hotels: 20% off room stays, 25% off villas and suites
24/7 card-related assistance and emergency card replacement

Premium

★2.5

▼

Charge card with no pre-set spending limit
Spending approved based on financials and credit history
24/7 card-related assistance and dispute resolution
Zero lost card liability on fraud reported within 3 days
Emergency card replacement service

Reward Points

★3.5

▼

1 MR point per ₹50 on most spending categories
1,000 bonus MR points monthly on 6 transactions of ₹1,000+
5X points through Reward Multiplier at select partners
24K Gold Collection: 24,000 points = ₹8,000 to ₹14,000 vouchers
No MR points on fuel (from June 2025), insurance, or cash

Shopping

★3.0

▼

5X MR points via Reward Multiplier at Flipkart, Apple, and others
Standard 1 MR per ₹50 on all other retail purchases
Gold Collection gives vouchers for Shoppers Stop, Tanishq, Tata Cliq
Apple: up to ₹10,000 instant cashback at Apple stores

Travel

★2.5

▼

The Lalit Hotels: 20% off room stay at all participating properties
25% off luxury villas at The Lalit Golf Spa Resort Goa
₹30 lakh air accidental death insurance (ICICI Lombard)
No airport lounge access included
No complimentary flight or hotel booking benefits

Detailed Information

Joining Fee	₹1,000 + applicable taxes
Annual Fee	₹4,500 + applicable taxes (from second year)
Annual Fee Waiver	No standard spending-based waiver published
Monthly Percentage Rate	Not applicable (charge card, full payment due monthly)
Annual Percentage Rate	Not applicable (charge card, full payment due monthly)
Minimum Monthly Payment	Full outstanding balance due each month
Foreign Currency Markup	3.5% + applicable taxes
Late Payment Charges	Up to 30% per annum on overdue amounts
Overlimit Charges	Not applicable (no pre-set spending limit)
Cash Advance Fee	Not applicable for charge cards
Balance Transfer Fee	Not applicable for charge cards
Fee For Supplementary Card	Supplementary card fee varies, contact American Express
Card Replacement Fee	Refer to MITC for current fee
Fee For Duplicate Statement	₹100 per statement
Fee For Cheque Bounce	₹500

Age Requirement Salaried	18+ years
Age Requirement Self Employed	18+ years (company trading for 12+ months)
Minimum Annual Income Salaried	₹6 lakh per annum
Minimum Annual Income Self Employed	₹6 lakh per annum
Minimum Credit Score	Good credit history with no payment defaults

Identity Proof	PAN Card (mandatory) Aadhaar Card Passport Voter ID
Address Proof	Aadhaar Card Passport Utility Bill (recent) Bank Statement
Income Proof Salaried	Latest 3 months salary slips Latest 3 months bank statement Form 16 or ITR
Income Proof Self Employed	Latest 2 years ITR Latest 6 months bank statement Business proof documents

Frequently Asked Questions

The first year fee is ₹1,000 plus applicable taxes. From the second year onwards, the annual fee is ₹4,500 plus applicable taxes. There is no published spending-based waiver for the renewal fee.

This is a charge card. You must pay the full outstanding balance each month. There is no option to carry forward a balance or pay minimum due like a regular credit card.

Since this is a charge card, the full balance is due each billing cycle. Failure to pay in full may result in late payment charges of up to 30% per annum on the overdue amount, and could affect your card privileges and credit history.

You earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every ₹50 spent on most purchases. This includes utility payments (electricity, water, gas) capped at 10,000 points per calendar month. Insurance premiums, cash withdrawals, and fuel purchases (from June 2025) do not earn points.

You earn 1,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you make 6 transactions of ₹1,000 or more in a calendar month. This can add up to 12,000 bonus points per year on top of your regular earning.

Reward Multiplier lets you earn 5X Membership Rewards points when you shop, dine, or travel with select partner brands like Flipkart, Apple, and others. The bonus points are credited within 120 business days of the transaction.

The Gold Collection is the card's primary redemption program. It has two tiers: 18K (18,000 points) and 24K (24,000 points). You can redeem points for vouchers from brands like Taj, Tanishq, Shoppers Stop, Flipkart, Myntra, Reliance Digital, and Amazon.

With 24,000 MR points in the 24K collection, you can choose: Taj voucher worth ₹14,000, Shoppers Stop voucher worth ₹10,000, Tata Cliq or Tanishq voucher worth ₹9,000 each, or Amazon, Flipkart, or Reliance Digital voucher worth ₹8,000 each.

With 18,000 MR points in the 18K collection, you can choose: Taj voucher worth ₹9,000, Shoppers Stop or Tata Cliq or Myntra voucher worth ₹7,000 each, or Amazon, Flipkart, or Reliance Digital voucher worth ₹6,000 each.

Yes. You earn 1 MR point per ₹50 on utility payments including electricity, water, and gas bills. This is capped at 10,000 MR points per calendar month. Telecom payments (mobile, internet, cable) also earn at the standard rate.

No. From June 12, 2025, cardmembers do not earn Membership Rewards points on fuel payments. This includes petrol, diesel, and CNG from Oil Marketing Companies. However, you still get a fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL for transactions under ₹5,000.

New cardmembers receive 4,000 Bonus Membership Rewards points. To qualify, you must pay the annual fee and spend ₹10,000 within 90 days of cardmembership. This offer is available only in the first year.

No pre-set spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your charges are approved based on your spending pattern, financial situation, credit record, and account history. If you plan to make an exceptionally large purchase, American Express recommends calling them in advance.

No. The American Express Gold Card does not include airport lounge access. For lounge access, you would need the American Express Platinum Card or the Platinum Reserve Credit Card.

You get up to 25% off at select partner restaurants across India. The list of participating restaurants and exact discount percentages change periodically. Check the American Express benefits page for current dining partners in your city.

The card includes ₹30 lakh air accidental death insurance through ICICI Lombard. Coverage applies when you purchase your air ticket using the Gold Card. You need to submit an insurance nomination form to activate this benefit.

At HPCL: 0% fee for transactions under ₹5,000 and 1% for ₹5,000 and above. At BPCL and IOCL: 1% of transaction value (minimum ₹10 plus taxes). At all other OMCs: 2.5% of transaction value (minimum ₹10 plus taxes).

International transactions carry a foreign currency markup of 3.5% plus applicable taxes on the transaction amount. This applies to all purchases made outside India or in a foreign currency.

You need a personal annual income of ₹6 lakh or above. You also need a good credit history with no payment defaults and a savings or current account with an Indian or multinational bank in India.

The card is currently issued to residents of 26 cities: Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh/Tricity, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Ernakulam, Vijayawada, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Nashik, Trivandrum, Mysuru, Cuttack, and Vizag.

You must be over 18 years of age to apply for the primary card. If you are self-employed, your company must have been trading for more than 12 months.

Yes. You can add a supplementary card to your account for a family member. The supplementary card fee varies. Contact American Express for current pricing and eligibility.

If you report fraud within 3 working days, your liability to American Express is nil. If reported beyond 3 working days, your maximum liability is limited to ₹1,000. Report any unauthorized transactions immediately through the helpline.

Yes. Cards issued after December 15, 2016 may be enabled for contactless payments. Look for the contactless symbol on the front and back of your card. You can manage contactless settings through your online account or the Amex App.

Three categories are excluded: insurance premium payments, cash withdrawals, and fuel purchases (from June 12, 2025). Fuel includes petrol, diesel, and CNG from Oil Marketing Companies. All other spending categories earn MR points at the standard rate.